By Diana Maliszewski
A Participatory Action Research Approach to Developing Understanding of The Learning Commons in an Elementary School as Explored by Students
Abstract
Creatively using assigned “preparation” periods; Maliszewski conducted an action research project exploring possible characteristics of a learning commons through an inquiry project with grades 7 & 8 students. She learned students needed to first participate in a learning commons rather than engage in an inquiry to understand it, in this case a virtual commons through a wiki project was developed. Includes student video link, student PowerPoint presentation, writing samples, and the inquiry lesson outline.
TMC1_2010_Maliszewski_Appendix1.pdf
TMC1_2010_Maliszewski_Appendix2.pdf
Diana Maliszewski is the teacher-librarian at Agnes Macphail P.S. in Toronto, ON. She is the editor of The Teaching Librarian, the official magazine of the Ontario School Library Association. Diana’s writing credits also include articles in The Canadian Journal of Library and Information Practice and Research and School Libraries in Canada. She maintains a library-themed blog, “Monday Molly Musings”. In 2010, she completed her Masters of Education degree from the University of Alberta in the Teacher-Librarianship via Distance Learning program. Diana has presented at conferences and workshops all over North America on topics such as gaming in education, graphic novels, popular culture, professional learning communities and children’s literature. In 2008, Diana Maliszewski was awarded the Follett International Teacher-Librarian of the Year Award from the Canadian Association of School Libraries for her contributions to the field of school librarianship.